Ventilator

ABSTRACT

A powered ventilator particularly suited for installation in the ceilings of mobile or modular homes, recreational vehicles, etc. The unit has a leakproof construction provided by an improved damper structure and by an improved mounting and sealing arrangement.

United States Patent [191 Stone [451 July 22,1975

[73] Assignee: Ventrola Manufacturing Company,

Owosso, Mich.

[22] Filed: July 26, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 381,901

[52] U.S. Cl. 98/43; 98/116; l37/533.27 [51] Int. Cl. F24F 7/02; F24F13/10 [58] Field of Search 98/43, 119, 116, 42, 20, 98/79; 137/533.27

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 244,641 7/1881 Mayher137/533.27 X 1,795,749 3/1931 Winters l37/533.27 1,897,076 2/1933 Shand137/533.27 X 2,155,495 4/1939 Kuntz 98/43 2,214,183 9/1940 Seymour....98/42 X 2,296,492 9/1942 Begley, Sr l37/543.l5 x

2,318,773 5/1943 Goetz 137/533.27 2,665,625 1/1954 Woodhams.... 98/193,112,687 12/1963 Henneberger 98/37 3,401,624 9/1968 Mohrman 98/1 163,475,885 11/1969 Kline 98/42 X 3,537,518 11/1970 Sullivan et al. 166/643,788,207 .1/1974 Doherty 98/42 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS1,112,173 5/1968 United Kingdom 98/43 Primary ExaminerWilliam E. WaynerAttorney, Agent, or FirmHarness, Dickey & Pierce [57] ABSTRACT A poweredventilator particularly suited for installation in the ceilings ofmobile or modular homes, recreational vehicles, etc. The unit has aleakproof construction provided by an improved damper structure and byan improved mounting and sealing arrangement.

3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJuL 22 I975 all;

VENTILATOR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Reference is made tocommonly assigned copending application Ser. No. 224,052, filed Feb. 7,1972 now US. Pat. No. 3,785,271 and state of the art references citedtherein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates toventilating apparatus and, in particular, to powered ventilatingapparatus particularly suited for installation in the ceilings of mobileor modular homes, recreational vehicles, etc.

Heretofore, various types of ventilators, both powered and non-powered,have been mounted in the ceilings of mobile homes and vehicles toventilate interiors thereof. The ventilator is customaril mounted in anopening in the ceiling and the exterior of the ventilator is exposed tothe outside. Among the problems with such prior ventilators are: thatwater can leak around and/or through the ventilator and into theinterior room space; the ventilators are difficult to install, oftenrequiring many fasteners passing into the ceiling; the damperarrangements fail to assure positive opening and closing when desired;operating noise levels are high; the overall structure is relativelycomplicated, requiring a large number of individual parts.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide an improvedventilator which: alleviates, or eliminates entirely, the problemsmentioned above; is of relatively simple construction and is especiallyvertically compact; has improved mounting, sealing, and damperarrangements; requires only a single opening in the ceiling formounting; can be quickly installed; operates reliably; and, in numerousrespects, is better than prior ventilators.

The foregoing objects, as well as additional objects, advantages,features and benefits of the invention will be seen in the ensuingdescription and claims which are to be taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The drawing illustrates a preferredembodiment of the invention in accordance with the best mode presentlycontemplated for carrying out the invention.

FIG. 1 is a vertical, sectional view through a ventilator according tothe present invention, the ventilator being installed in the ceiling ofa recreational vehicle, mobile or modular home, etc.

' FIG. 2 is a reduced plan view of one of the elements of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged horizontal, sectional view taken along line 3-3 inFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical, sectional view taken along line 4-4 inFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical, sectional view taken along line 5-5 inFIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view taken in circle 6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a view taken approximately in circle 8 in FIG. 1, butillustrating a modified form.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1, an improvedventilator unit 10, according to the present invention, is shown mountedon the ceiling 12 of a recreational vehicle, mobile or modular home,etc. A single circular opening 14 is provided in ceiling 12 toaccommodate unit 10, and no further modifications to ceiling 12 arerequired for mounting unit 10 thereon. Ventilator 10 comprises a body16, a cover 18, and a grill 20.

Body 16 comprises a circular, cylindrical, thin-walled conduit 22coaxial with opening 14. The upper and lower ends of conduit 22 areopen, and conduit 22 forms a central vertical passage through which airis drawn from the interior room space 23 for discharge to outside. Ablower assembly 24, consisting of an electric motor 26 and a fan 28, iscoaxially supported within conduit 22 on a rigid mounting strap 30 whichextends diametrically across the inside of conduit 22. Motor 26 may beof either the conventional AC or DC type, depending upon the type ofelectric power available. Preferably, mounting strap 30 is removablysecured to conduit 22 to facilitate removal of blower assembly 24, ifnecessary. This is done by means of two screws 32 (only one of whichappears in FIG. 1) which pass through suitable openings at the ends ofstrap 30 to threadably engage mounting brackets 34 affixed to the innerwall of conduit 22. The wiring 36 for motor 26 exits from conduit 22 bymeans of a suitable small opening 38 and leads to a switched source ofelectric power. A plurality of three additional mounting brackets 40(only one of which appears in FIG. 1) are affixed to the inner wall ofconduit 22 at a level vertically below the level of mounting brackets34. Brackets 40 are arranged uniformly around conduit 22 in angularlyoffset relation to brackets 34. Pursuant to one aspect of the invention,a circular, annular ceiling plate 42 is attached to brackets 40 by meansof screws 44 which pass through suitable clearance holes in ceilingplate 42 to threadably engage mounting brackets 40. As will be seen ingreater detail herein, ceiling plate 42 clamps unit 10 sturdily onceiling 12. Ceiling plate 42 is also fashioned with a pair of threadedholes (only one of which appears in FIG. 1) to which grill 20 isfastened by screws 46. An annular flashing plate 48 is affixed to theouter wall of conduit 22 at a level slightly above the outside ofceiling 12. The inner periphery of plate 48 is of circular shapeincluding an upturned flange for attachment to conduit 22. The outerperiphery of flashing plate 48 fits closely within cover 18 and, as willbe hereinafter seen, is important in providing a portion of the improvedsealing arrangement of the present inventron.

Cover 18 is of generally rectangular configuration and encloses body 16.Preferably, cover 18 is molded from a plastic such as high-densitypolyethylene. A vertical pad 50 at each of the four inside corners ofcover 18 serves to attach flashing plate 48 by means of screws 52passing through clearance holes in plate 48 to threadably engage pads50. A peripherally continuous sealing flange 54 extends around the lowerperipheral edge of cover 18 and seals against ceiling 12 when the unit10 is installed. Flange 54 includes a peripherally continuous recess 56formed in the underside thereof. A continuous deformable seal 58 iscontained within recess 56 for sealing between flange 54 and ceiling 12.

The outer peripheral edge of flashing plate 48 is of rectangular shapeto fit closely within the corresponding rectangular shape of theinterior of cover 18. For a recreational-type vehicle, cover 18 isfashioned with a single generally rectangular opening 58 in one of itsfour sides, and the corresponding edge of flashing plate 48 includes alip 60 which extends through and over hangs the lower edge of opening58. (In a mobile home installation cover 18 preferably has threeopenings 58.) A continuous bead of sealant 55 is deposited as a filletto seal between the outer periphery of flashing plate 48 and cover 18.Another continuous bead of sealant 57 is deposited as a fillet to sealbetween the inner periphery of flashing plate 48 and the outer wall ofconduit 22.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a post 62 ofnon-circular (for example, oval) cross section (see FIG. 3) isintegrally formed with cover 18. Post 62 depends centrally verticallydownwardly from the top of cover 18 to level just above the upper end ofblower 24, and coaxially aligns with body 16. A damper 64 (details ofwhich are shown in FIGS. 2-7), preferably constructed from a plasticsuch as ABS plastic, is retained on post 62 by means of a washer 66affixed to the lower end of post 62. Damper 64 is fashioned with acentral opening 68 which is of the same shape as the cross section ofpost 62 and provides damper 64 with a close sliding fit on post 62. Anannular depending lip 70 is formed around opening 68 to provide aguiding surface facilitating vertical bodily movement of damper 64 onpost 62. Thus, da'mper 64 can slide vertically on post 62 but isconstrained against rotation thereon. Damper 64 is of relatively lowmass, but is of sufficient rigidity to be self-supporting. Damper 64inclines downwardly and outwardly from post 62 with the outer margin 64athereof having a somewhat steeper slope than the inner portion thereof.The overall diameter of damper 64 is slightly greater than the diameterof conduit 22. Four ribs 72 are formed on the upper surface of damper 64and extend radially outwardly from opening 68. When blower 24 is idle,damper 64 assumes a closed position indicated by the broken lines inFIG. 1. In this position, margin 64a rests on the open upper end ofconduit 22 and slightly overhangs the edge of the conduit. Damper 64completely closes conduit 22 and prevents both back draft through theunit into the interior room space 23 and also water from entering theupper end of the conduit. As seen in FIG. 1 damper 64 is normally biasedinto a closed position by its own weight or in any other suitablemanner. When blower 24 is operated, damper 64 rises vertically on post62, having a maximum upward travel indicated by the solid lines ofFIG. 1. While damper 64 completely closes conduit 22 in the drawing, itwill be appreciated that, in practice, margin 64a may not have acontinuous peripheral contact with the upper edge of conduit 22 due tomanufacturing tolerances. However, such mismatch is not critical so longas it is not excessive.

Grill 20, which is preferably molded from plastic, may optionallyinclude a central solid translucent portion 20a, positioned around andbeneath an optional lamp 74 which is supported from body 16. When blower24 is operated, air from interior space 23 flows upwardly through theopen portion 20b of grill 20.

The structural elements of the preferred embodiment having beendescribed, further development of the inventive features of thedisclosure is now presented.

With cover 18 being securely affixed to conduit 22 via flashing plate48, the improved mounting arrangement of the present invention providesa weather-tight seal of flange 54 against ceiling 12 when unit isinstalled. Moreover, installation of the unit is greatly simplified. Theinstallation procedure is as follows. With ceiling plate 42 and grillremoved, the unit is aligned with opening 14 and placed on ceiling 12.Ceiling plate 42 is then attached to body 16 by screws 44. Screws 44 areactuated to draw ceiling plate 42 against ceiling 12, and continuedactuation of screws 44 thereafter tends to draw body 16 downwardly. Theconnection of cover 7 18 to body 16 by flashing plate 48 causes flange54 to be drawn tightly downwardly on ceiling 12. Thus, ceiling 12 istightly clamped between ceiling plate 42 and flange 54 to therebysecurely mount unit 10. Seal 58 is deformably held between flange 54 andceiling 12 to prevent precipitation or condensation from intruding intoopening 14 from between cover 18 and ceiling 12. Thus, it will beobserved that opening 14 is the only modification to ceiling 12 requiredto mount ventilator 10 and that only the three screws 44 have to beactuated to mount the ventilator. In addition to seal 58, the two seals55 and 57 around the outer and inner peripheries of flashing plate 48prevent water from intruding into opening 14 from between conduit 22 andcover 18. Precipitation which may collect on flashing plate 48 will tendto flow outwardly through opening 58 over lip 60. Furthermore, withdamper 64 disposed at a level vertically above opening 58 and with theparticular construction of damper 64, precipitation or condensationcannot enter conduit 22. While damper 64 preferably has a close slidingfit on post 62 which tends to prevent moisture from running down post 62through opening 68, ribs 72 may be incorporated in damper 64 and theytend to collect any liquid condensation or precipitation on post 62around opening 68 and to carry it outwardly on the top surface of damper64 away from post 62.

When blower 24 is actuated, fan 28 draws air from within the interiorroom space 23 and moves the same upwardly via grill 20 through conduit22. The air pressure developed against damper 64 by blower 24 causes thedamper to rise vertically upwardly on post 62 so that air can flowoutwardly over the upper edge of conduit 22 for subsequent discharge viaopening 58 in cover 18. During operation of blower 24, the positivepressure existing within conduit 22 both maintains damper 64 in a raisedposition and prevents precipitation from intruding into conduit 22.Since damper 64 is constrained against rotation and snugly guided onpost 62, the operating noise level of unit 10 is kept to a minimum,damper 64 being unable to spin or noisily flutter. Furthermore, it willbe observed that the structure of damper 64 and its mounting are highlyeconomical and require only a few parts. Furthermore, since damper 64moves bodily on post 62, the total distance traveled can be relativelysmall to provide a sufficient outlet opening; thus, the ventilator isespecially compact in the vertical direction.

FIG. 8 illustrates a modified form of the invention wherein a differentflashing plate 48 is used. Flashing plate 48 is positioned againstceiling 12 and extends radially outwardly beneath flange 54. This formis desirable for use with conventional roofing practice wherein flashingis provided around members which protrude through the roof, for example,chimneys, pipes, etc.; however, the same sealing and retentionarrangement is utilized and the benefits enumerated above apply to themodified form shown in H6. 8.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is that of apreferred embodiment of the invention. Various changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A ventilator adapted to be mounted on the ceiling of a room space tobe ventilated and to ventilate the room space to the outside via anopening extending through the ceiling from the inside of the ceiling tothe outside of the ceiling, said ventilator comprising a body, said bodycomprising a conduit having a generally vertical axis and defining agenerally vertical passage, said conduit being open at the upper endthereof and adapted to communicate the room space to the outside via theceiling opening, blower means for drawing air from the room space andblowing the same through said conduit to the outside, mounting means formounting the ventilator on the ceiling, a damper located above saidblower means and disposed over the open upper ends of said conduit, andguide means for guiding said damper for generally vertical bodilymovement relative to said conduit, said damper being biased into aclosed position closing the open upper end of said conduit when saidblower means is idle and being displaced bodily upwardly from its closedposition when said blower means is actuated, said guide means comprisinga post generally coaxial with said conduit, said damper comprising meansdefining an opening therein, said post passing through said damperopening, said damper opening and the cross section of said post being ofsimilar noncircular shape thereby to provide said damper with verticalsliding engagement with said post and substantially constraining saiddamper against rotary displacement about said post, and a cover coveringthe upper end of said body, said post being disposed on said cover, andretaining means for retaining said damper on said post, and an annularflashing plate generally around said conduit and extending in an outwarddirection therefrom generally parallel to the roof line.

2. In combination with the ceiling of a room space tr be ventilatedwherein the exterior of the ceiling is ex posed to outside weatherconditions, a ventilator uni for ventilating the room space to outsidevia an openin extending through the ceiling, said ventilator unit comprising: a conduit extending vertically through said ceil ing openingand having an open upper end disposed a a level above the ceiling;blower means disposed within said conduit; a damper disposed over theopen uppe end of said conduit; vertically extending guide mean centrallylocated with respect to said damper for guid ing said damper forvertical displacement relative tr said conduit so as to permit saiddamper to close the open upper end of said conduit when said blowe meansis idle and to permit said damper to be displacet bodily upwardly fromthe open upper end of said con duit when said blower means is actuated;a cover en closing said damper and the open upper end of sait conduitmeans, said cover comprising a top portion dis posed vertically abovesaid damper and a side portior extending downwardly from said topportion arouni said damper and said conduit to the ceiling; means defining an opening in said cover side portion which i substantiallydisposed vertically below the open uppe end of said conduit and throughwhich room exhaus passes when said blower means is actuated; an annulaflashing plate extending between said conduit and sai cover side portionat a level vertically above the ceiling said flashing plate including alip portion thereof ex tending through said cover side portion opening;saii damper sloping downwardly in the radially outward di rection fromsaid guide means and overhanging thl open upper end of said conduitwhereby moistun which collects on the upper surface of said dampe tendsto run off the damper, to drop onto said flashin; plate, and to run offthrough said cover side portior opening.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2 whereii said damper comprises aradially inner portion havin; a given downward slope and a radiallyouter portion having a downward slope greater than the downwar slope ofsaid radially inner portion, said radially oute portion resting on theopen upper end of said condui when said blower means is idle.

1. A ventilator adapted to be mounted on the ceiling of a room space tobe ventilated and to ventilate the room space to the outside via anopening extending through the ceiling from the inside of the ceiling tothe outside of the ceiling, said ventilator comprising a body, said bodycomprising a conduit having a generally vertical axis and defining agenerally vertical passage, said conduit being open at the upper endthereof and adapted to communicate the room space to the outside via theceiling opening, blower means for drawing air from the room space andblowing the same through said conduit to the outside, mounting means formounting the ventilator on the ceiling, a damper located above saidblower means and disposed over the open upper ends of said conduit, andguide means for guiding said damper for generally vertical bodilymovement relative to said conduit, said damper being Biased into aclosed position closing the open upper end of said conduit when saidblower means is idle and being displaced bodily upwardly from its closedposition when said blower means is actuated, said guide means comprisinga post generally coaxial with said conduit, said damper comprising meansdefining an opening therein, said post passing through said damperopening, said damper opening and the cross section of said post being ofsimilar noncircular shape thereby to provide said damper with verticalsliding engagement with said post and substantially constraining saiddamper against rotary displacement about said post, and a cover coveringthe upper end of said body, said post being disposed on said cover, andretaining means for retaining said damper on said post, and an annularflashing plate generally around said conduit and extending in an outwarddirection therefrom generally parallel to the roof line.
 2. Incombination with the ceiling of a room space to be ventilated whereinthe exterior of the ceiling is exposed to outside weather conditions, aventilator unit for ventilating the room space to outside via an openingextending through the ceiling, said ventilator unit comprising: aconduit extending vertically through said ceiling opening and having anopen upper end disposed at a level above the ceiling; blower meansdisposed within said conduit; a damper disposed over the open upper endof said conduit; vertically extending guide means centrally located withrespect to said damper for guiding said damper for vertical displacementrelative to said conduit so as to permit said damper to close the openupper end of said conduit when said blower means is idle and to permitsaid damper to be displaced bodily upwardly from the open upper end ofsaid conduit when said blower means is actuated; a cover enclosing saiddamper and the open upper end of said conduit means, said covercomprising a top portion disposed vertically above said damper and aside portion extending downwardly from said top portion around saiddamper and said conduit to the ceiling; means defining an opening insaid cover side portion which is substantially disposed vertically belowthe open upper end of said conduit and through which room exhaust passeswhen said blower means is actuated; an annular flashing plate extendingbetween said conduit and said cover side portion at a level verticallyabove the ceiling, said flashing plate including a lip portion thereofextending through said cover side portion opening; said damper slopingdownwardly in the radially outward direction from said guide means andoverhanging the open upper end of said conduit whereby moisture whichcollects on the upper surface of said damper tends to run off thedamper, to drop onto said flashing plate, and to run off through saidcover side portion opening.
 3. The combination as claimed in claim 2wherein said damper comprises a radially inner portion having a givendownward slope and a radially outer portion having a downward slopegreater than the downward slope of said radially inner portion, saidradially outer portion resting on the open upper end of said conduitwhen said blower means is idle.